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Silver Lake School District closes FY22 Close-Out Meeting

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The Silver Lake Regional School Committee met in-person on Thursday, July 14. They began with a moment of silence in honor of seventh grade student Charles Demuelle who passed away in late June. Superintendent Jill Proulx was unexpectedly unable to attend the meeting.

Seaview Learning Academy Approval

Assistant Superintendent Ryan Lynch explained to the Committee that Camp Norse is a micro school known as Seaview Learning Academy that wishes to extend from K-8 to K-12. Lynch said that when a school wishes to operate in the same municipality as a main district, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) requires that permission be granted from the other district. Lynch said the intent was for the Director of Camp Norse to come and explain the request, but they were unable to attend that night. Proulx called in to the meeting to provide further explanation. Committee member Summer Schmaling said she was in favor of alternative schools and learning opportunities but said she would like to hear from the Director before approving. The Committee agreed to hold off on approving until their September meeting.

Whitman-Hanson De-regionalization Update

Committee Chair Paula Hatch told the Committee that while Hanson had previously expressed interest in potentially leaving Whitman-Hanson and regionalizing with Silver Lake, they no longer wish to explore that option.

Preschool Changes

Hatch also told the Committee that they received an email from DESE that week regarding the Silver Lake Preschool. “We all did receive an email from Jill updating everybody that we did have a discussion with DESE on Monday and we will need to make some changes to that program,” Hatch said. She said the matter would be discussed further in executive session.

Policy Updates

Lynch told the Committee that per DESE the District is required to have a wellness committee that meets a minimum of four times per year. He said that himself, Nutrition Director Megan Ahrenholz, the school nurses, and the Director of Wellness and Athletics serve on the Committee. “We make sure that the wellness policy is aligned with DESE and federal guidelines,” Lynch explained. He said that there were a few updates to the District’s policy to bring them up to date with those guidelines. Committee member Gordon Laws asked why the minimum 20-minute time frame for lunch was struck from the updated policy. Lynch said that while the goal is certainly to ensure that students have an adequate time to eat lunch, they didn’t want the policy to be too restrictive in the cases of things like grab-and-go lunches.

Lynch also provided an update on the homeschooling policy. He said that a parent intending to homeschool must provide written consent and information at least 14 days prior to the beginning of the school year. The Superintendent and School Committee must then evaluate the request against the criteria stated in the policy.

Technology Director Steve Pellowe requested that an update be made to the technology policy. “It would be against school policy for students or employees to run a mobile device as a hotspot during school hours because it would interfere with the school’s wi-fi. Another thing Mr. Pellowe brough up is if a student or staff member were to create a hotspot and use a school issued device, they would be sort of skirting the filters and other pieces like that the school has in place to ensure that students are accessing educationally appropriate and relevant content,” Lynch explained.

Financial Update

Director of Financial Services Christine Healy provided a budget update. “So with the funding of the operating budget this year, we received $561,000 in addition to what we had budgeted for revenue from a couple of different sources; one of those sources is the Pembroke CTE tuition…this year for the first time more than half of our eighth graders applied for the CTE program for next year so we do not have room for Pembroke students in the ninth grade for next year… so that number will not be the same for next year,” Healy explained. She also said that they received 100 percent reimbursement for homeless transportation this year which she explained was much higher than previous years. She also explained that additional reimbursements would be coming from ARPA expenditures. “It will be about $681,000 that will be going back to E&D [excess and deficiency account],” she told the Committee. The money in that fund is used to fund the Capital Plan on an annual basis.

District Update

Lynch began the District update by introducing the new HR Director David Turcotte. “We are really excited to have David on board in this position; he was a teacher and an administrator in Newton as well as an administrator in Canton and filled the role of HR Director in Salem,” Lynch said of Turcotte.

Donation Request

A donation request was made for a piano from Committee member Leslie-Ann McGee.  The Committee voted to approve the request and the associated costs of moving the piano.

SLEA Update

SLEA President Jon Lay spoke to the Committee requesting more money for paraprofessionals to stay competitive with other local districts. “A lot of other districts are realizing that paras are chronically underpaid for what they do and I do think we are going to see more and more difficulty attracting paras,” Lay said.

Town looks forward to school refund

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The Plympton Elementary School Committee met virtually on Monday, July 11.

Director of Business Services Christine Healy provided a financial closeout. The closeout balance in the regular day budget is $23,969.51. She said there was one PO that they have included for approximately $49,000 for a chiller in a rooftop unit, specifically two compressors. “The unit is limping along, barely functioning,” Healy said. She also said that replacing those two compressors would make the unit function properly though she acknowledged that the entire unit would eventually need to be replaced. She said that the compressors would still be compatible with the unit were it to be replaced down the line. “The compressors themselves, these are separate than the other five units that we are needing to replace and by purchasing them now, when we replace those units, which is sort of on the notional plan here with ARPA funds and other potential funds, these compressors… we’re not putting $50,000 toward these and then throwing it out, that $50,000 is going to be spent one way or another,” Wilhelmsen said adding further clarification. “The town still ends up in very good standing,” he added. Healy said that the funds for professional development were underutilized this year most likely due to grant funding that was available. She said there was also a surplus in special education. “The closeout is in pretty decent shape,” Healy told the Committee. When all is said and done nearly $110,000 would be returned to the town.

Chair Jon Wilhelmsen provided an update on the teachers’ contract.  “Just an update there, I’m still getting the changes put into that; we’re going to get that over to the teachers soon. We’ll either vote on that at our September meeting or likely we’re going to have to have a meeting… at some point this summer,” he told the rest of the Committee. The abbreviated meeting over the summer would also be needed to deal with the solar panel installation at the Dennett.

Wilhelmsen provided an update on those solar panels saying that his attempts to get DESE to approve the transfer of the roof into the Selectmen’s hands has been a “less than straightforward process.” He said that certified votes will need to be taken by both the Board of Selectmen and the School Committee before DESE will entertain giving their approval.

Committee member Jason Fraser said, “the State has not come through with its fiscal budget for 2023 yet and part of that was the continuation of remote participation in meetings until December 31, 2023. The Senate just passed a bill with just the language for remote participation, but the House has yet to take it up; the expiration for meeting remotely is this Friday until someone does something on Beacon Hill.” “We’ll have to do it one way or another,” Wilhelmsen said.

Dennett Principal Peter Veneto reported on a myriad of projects that have been ongoing at the school. Various pavement projects and roof repairs were deemed completed by Veneto. He said that they were still waiting on materials for the flooring replacement and repair of the art room and the teachers’ prep room. They are also waiting for materials to complete the door access card project as well as the intercom and bell system replacement. Signs should be going up shortly on campus to notify residents that dogs are not allowed on the premises.

Healy said she didn’t have much of an update on the playground. She did say that they were visiting the site to get the exact measurements for the rubberized mulch. She also spoke with Plympton about where they could use the excess mulch that is to be replaced by the rubberized surfacing.

Superintendent Jill Proulx asked the Committee for approval on the school calendar for next year. The main change was that all half days have been changed to a 12:30 dismissal across the entire District. “This allows for better scheduling of lunch,” Wilhelmsen explained. The Committee voted to approve the calendar as presented.

Proulx also told the Committee that Christine Marcolini would be starting as the Director of Student Support at the Dennett. She also introduced David Turcotte who will be the new Director of Human Resources for Silver Lake. Proulx said that she received a request to elaborate on the hiring process.

Proulx said that the building principal has the hiring authority though she noted they will typically have a committee that reviews applicants. Veneto said that they are interviewing for a school psychologist position to replace Marcolini. Other openings include an art position, a music position, and two kindergarten aide positions.

Kirby to be inducted into Hall of Fame

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Matt Kirby, 63, an award-winning hammered-dulcimer musician originally from Whitman, will be inducted into the Kansas Music Hall of Fame in a ceremony to be held in Lawrence, Kan., on July 30.

Kirby, son of Mary Alice Kirby and the late Senator Ned Kirby, discovered hammered dulcimers in Brockton at Summerfest 1975 while a student at Sacred Heart High School in Kingston. He ordered a basic wooden instrument and spent the rest of the summer playing it.  Matt continued to design and build his own dulcimers during his studies in Art and Sculpture at the Kansas City Art Institute. After graduating he performed with other musicians in a Celtic string band, Scartaglen.

Over 40 years of festivals, appearances, concerts, and forming other bands he is primarily known as a member of the Alferd Packer Memorial String Band, named after the wry legend of the hungry mountaineer in Colorado. The Packer Band enjoys popularity throughout the Midwest.

Matt resides in Baldwin City, a small town near Lawrence, Kansas.

Quick action prevented a nightmare on Elm Street prevented tragedy

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Christine Akusis of Winnetuxet Road, Plympton, said, “It was one of the scariest moments of my life” on her Facebook post Tuesday.   She and her husband were out for an evening walk with their dog Ace on Monday when a silver truck sped down Elm Street in Plympton.  When the driver saw the couple he swerved and lost control of his vehicle, according to neighbors, snapping the utility pole.  Acting quickly, her husband threw Christine and Ace into the wooded roadside, out of harm’s way.  He was hit and thrown by the truck according to witnesses, but is also going to be all right.  Ace spent a hard night Monday night and was off to the vet Tuesday morning, according to Christine’s post.  The young male driver who was on his way to West Street, was taken by Halifax ambulance to Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Plymouth to be checked out.  Plympton Police Chief Matt Ahl said that charges will be filed.

Alexus Stanley of Plympton named to University of Hartford’s Dean’s List

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WEST HARTFORD, CT (07/08/2022)– The University of Hartford is pleased to announce Alexus Stanley of Plympton has been named to the Dean’s List for Spring 2022.

Spread across seven dynamic schools and colleges, the University of Hartford has been guiding the purpose and passion of students for over six decades. On our 350-acre campus alongside Connecticut’s capital city, approximately 4,000 undergraduate and 1,900 graduate students representing 49 states and 44 countries come together for a common purpose: to collaborate across different disciplines, diversify perspectives, and broaden worldviews.

University of Hartfrd is a four-year private university focused on advancing the public good through meaningful connections within our communities. Our unique approach to comprehensive education gives us the critical perspectives that lead to impact change, regionally and beyond. With degree programs spanning the arts, humanities, business, engineering and technology, education, and health professions, we focus on doing the work that matters. Visit hartford.edu to learn more.

Golightly named Halifax Town Administrator

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The Halifax Board of Selectmen met on Wednesday, July 6 to conduct an interview with an applicant for the open position of Town Administrator.

Marty Golightly was introduced by Bernie Lynch of Community Paradigm Associates who was hired to conduct the search and vet candidates. Lynch said, “It is intended to be an interactive dialogue as opposed to an interrogation.”

In response to the open ended, “tell us about yourself” Golightly said, “I spent 20 years in the military… mostly healthcare but when you are in healthcare in the military you also do a lot of leadership.” He continued, “Everything that the Navy can offer you, I think I got to participate in; it was awesome, I loved every minute of it, but I had two young kids and I didn’t want to miss anymore dance recitals.” He said that he moved back to the area in 2017, went back to school, and then became the health agent in Abington. Golightly called his time in Abington an “eye opening experience” and said that he gained insight into municipal government.

Golightly was very straightforward when asked why he left his last position. “I didn’t want to be the Director of Public Health in Abington anymore; Covid shined a light on a lot of weird areas of our society. It made some things uncomfortable. It made some things better in a very weird and unusual way. It just wasn’t the time to live and work in the same community,” he explained.  At the time of Golightly’s resignation from his position in Abington, abingtonnews.org reported that he was receiving “personal attacks and threats” presumably by those unhappy with the Health Department’s response to the pandemic.

Lynch asked why he wanted to be a town administrator. Golightly responded, “public servant my whole life – military, EMT, making the world a little better a little bit every day or at least that’s my goal. I’m one of those people that wants to leave something better behind for my kids and for all those that are going to come behind us.”

“Collaborator and Chief will always trump Commander and Chief, in my humble opinion,” Golightly said of his management style. He also said that mentoring is very important to him. Golightly said that you need to “make sure that you are making the best decision with the most good in mind for the most people.”

Asked about conflict resolution, Golightly said that he always likes to lead with education first though he acknowledged that there will always be those that will not be reached in that manner. He said that the dialogue that exists between those making decisions and those not in favor of those decisions is “part and parcel of being a Navy Chief.” He continued, “we are conflict resolution people – I’ve done it boots and board room.” He continued, “Sometimes you argue, but you argue behind closed doors, and you come out, hopefully, on the same side or if not with a better understanding of why that person made that decision,” Golightly said.

DiSesa asked Golightly about his ability to remain impartial when conflicts arise between town employees. He called maintaining impartiality or neutrality “probably one of the most difficult things I have had to do as a leader especially when you hear these stories of bullying.” He continued, “there is a process that we have to follow to make sure that there are no repercussions for either side; we do it by the book for a reason.” He stressed the importance of not letting emotion guide his actions in such situations.

Selectman Alex Meade said, “one of the worst things, I think, to hear is we do it this way because we have always done it this way. I would hope that you’re the type of person that coming into this position would be open minded to revamping current policies and procedures if you think there is a better way to do it.” Golightly said, “that mindset, I’ve always found, is content toward the negative.” He said that he is always striving for a better or best practice.

Lynch asked Golightly what kind of experience he has with municipal finances and budgets. Golightly, who called himself a “numbers nerd,” said he had experience with the RFP for the trash contract, the budget for Waste Management, and the budget for the Inspectional Services Department which included Health, Zoning, Building, and Nursing. Golightly is also on the Capital Planning Committee in Abington.

Golightly told the Selectmen that he has grant writing experience and attended the grant writing management institute at UMASS Boston. “The biggest one was 1.1, 1.2 million over a couple of years for the Public Health Excellence grant,” he explained of the many grants he has written.

Selectmen Chair Ashley DiSesa asked Golightly what he would do if he came up against an area in which he does not have knowledge. “Find my subject matter expert… I got a lot of friends I can ask if I don’t know the answer to a question… I have a lot of people in my phone that I can humbly ask,” he explained. Golightly said that he has worked with many local Fire and Police Chiefs including Chief Viveiros, Halifax’s former Fire Chief. “I have become friends with a lot of the Fire Departments… the people that I like to deal with the most, the coolest people, the most professional and I would say the best ones, irrespective of this position, have been from here,” Golightly said. DiSesa agreed saying that they had “phenomenal” Police and Fire in town.

He said that he would like to hold “coffee with your TA” if hired as Town Administrator in Halifax. “Being available, being a decent human being after that; the rest of it will kind of take care of itself,” Golightly said. He said that relationship building would be a huge component for his first 60 days.

Golightly said that a concern of his would be how to maintain the small town feel in Halifax in a modern world. “It is a problem for the ages,” he said. He said that bringing in businesses that have a large amount of taxable revenue but that have a small footprint would be key.

Following Golightly’s interview, the Board discussed their remaining options. Lynch told them that all three previous applicants were still in the pool. Selectman Jonathan Selig said that all the people he’s spoken to from Abington were sad to see him go. Meade said of Golightly, “it didn’t seem like he was using this as a stepping stone to something else.” DiSesa echoed Selig’s sentiment saying that she spoke to many people who know Golightly and no one had a bad thing to say about him. The Selectmen voted to name Golightly as the next Town Administrator.

BOS takes Carver concerns to DHCD

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Plympton Selectmen to Voice Complaints about Carver to State

North Carver Redevelopment Project

The Plympton Board of Selectmen met virtually on Monday, July 11. The Selectmen discussed the possible drafting of a letter to the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) regarding issues the town is facing stemming from the North Carver Redevelopment Project. The main issue involves the reconfiguring of trailer bays near Montello St. and Heather’s Path in Plympton. Carver’s plan is currently with DHCD for approval. Joy said that she hoped that a letter would help bring the issues to the attention of the DHCD so that they could be considered in the approval of the plan.  Selectmen Mark Russo and John Traynor agreed, and Joy said that the letter would likely be sent later that week.

Plymouth County Advisory Board

The Selectmen also discussed who would be appointed to the Plymouth County Advisory Board for FY 2023. Joy said that the budget is voted in the spring and noted that there are a few meetings in other parts of the year as needed. Joy said the Board manages the parking tickets for some of the larger towns. “They often look for creative ways to help member communities,” Joy said of the Board. Traynor was chosen as the new representative with Russo listed as the alternate. Previously, Joy had been the rep.

Board Goals and Priorities

The Selectmen also discussed their goals for FY 2023 as well as their Projects and Priorities list. “It’s become kind of a catch all for all sorts of things, big and small,” Town Administrator Liz Dennehy said. She asked if the Selectmen wanted to create one or two goals with actionable steps that could be taken to achieve those goals. The Selectmen agreed to come up with some goals to be discussed during their next meeting.

“One of the concerns I’ve had is because of the open meeting law we have not been able to just sit and chat,” Traynor said. He expressed that some things are not issues that he feels should be brought up in a meeting but still need to be discussed. He posed the possibility of those kinds of issues going through Dennehy to avoid a violation of open meeting law. Traynor had previously expressed the desire to have each of the Selectmen share an update at each meeting of what issues and projects they are currently working on, but Joy and Russo had felt that it could appear to be campaigning and were not in favor of the idea.

The Selectmen all agreed that they would like to return to having different department heads attend meetings to provide an overview of what is currently going on within their department. Russo suggested that the overview be presented in writing ahead of time so that the meeting time could be used for questions and discussions regarding that submission.

Town Administrator’s Update

Dennehy said, “We’ve had a little bit of movement with that opioid settlement that town counsel had us sign onto.” She was referring to the State’s $526 million share of two national $26 billion settlements. Massachusetts’ share will be divided between the State and the municipalities which chose to sign onto the settlement.

Dennehy said that the government was moving away from a DUNs number and moving toward wanting towns to have a separate SAM.gov entity ID. Dennehy said she was cognizant of not wanting the process to delay the town receiving their second ARPA disbursement.

She also said she was working with the Fire Department to put out invitations for bids for a refurbishment of Engine 1. The funds were appropriated during town meeting two years ago.

Dennehy also said she was waiting on a couple of pending grant applications. “I haven’t heard anything yet on our most recent Green Communities Grant.” She said they were also waiting to hear about a grant for the Fire Department to obtain an ATV type vehicle.

Town Property Requests

The Selectmen fielded two use of town property requests. The first was for National Night Out on August 12 from 4:30 – 7:30 p.m. on Holt Field. The event is being organized by Library Director Mike Slawson and the Plympton Public Library. It will utilize the Town House, Library, and Police Station parking. There will be food trucks and a myriad of entertainment. “I’m excited about this, I think it is going to be a wonderful time for the town,” Traynor said.

The second request was for a wedding at the gazebo on the Town Green on August 13 at 4:30 pm. Decorations will be hung but promptly taken down following the ceremony. The Selectmen voted to approve both requests.

Selectmen’s Rants and Raves

Russo said his rave was for weddings on the Town Green and the use of town property in a “sweet and historical way.”

Traynor said that his rave was for the Plympton-Halifax Express as so many other small towns no longer have a paper.

Joy said her rave was for Russo finally figuring out the Zoom technology blip during the previous meeting.

Special election for Halifax treasurer/collector

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There will be a Special Election on Saturday, July 30, 2022 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Halifax Elementary School to elect a new Collector/Treasurer for an unexpired term.

On the ballot are Karen M. Fava and the current assistant Treasurer/Collector Linda Anne McCarty.

Today is the last day to register to vote in this election, Friday, July 8.  Any updates or additional information pertaining to Town Elections can be found online at www.halifax-ma.org/Elections.

If you have any questions, please contact the Town Clerk’s Office at (781) 293-7970 or by e-mailing [email protected].

HR Attorney for Halifax?

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The Halifax Board of Selectmen met in-person on Tuesday, June 28. Selectman Jonathan Selig participated via remote means.

Fireworks are ‘Rousing Success”

Selectman Alex Meade read a letter from the Halifax Fireworks Committee in which they called the event a “rousing success” and said that all vendors are interested in returning next year. The Committee thanked the Halifax Fire Department, the Halifax Police Department, the Halifax Board of Health, the CERT volunteers, the Building Department, the Maintenance Department, and several individuals. They asked the Selectmen for permission to hang a banner on the town green acknowledging the donors for a week or two so residents and visitors could see the businesses and individuals responsible for the event. The Selectmen agreed to approve the request pending a bylaw review to make sure it was allowable.

HR Services and Labor Counsel

The Selectmen had an appointment with Jack Dolan regarding staff training and HR services. Dolan previously served as labor counsel with town counsel. “I’m here tonight to review with you a proposal to continue to provide labor counsel services and also to provide what I call HR counsel on demand services,” Dolan said. He previously worked with Brooks and DeRensis but has since broken off into his own firm. He said the whole purpose of his program is to provide human resource services to a community that might not have any. Dolan said that he serves five other communities with the same program. He also previously served as a town administrator for several towns.

HR Services

“You handled a significant amount of investigations for us the beginning of last year that involved town employees and committee members, is that something that would fall under the HR?” DiSesa asked. Dolan said it would exclude anything disciplinary in nature. “I think there are a number of things you could do in Halifax to reduce the likelihood of needing investigations,” Dolan told the Selectmen. He said that the investigations revealed the need for policy changes which is something that he said he could help the town manage. “How responsive are you?” DiSesa asked. “I like to think I’m extremely responsive… if I can resolve them immediately on the phone, I do,” Dolan explained.

“I’m just confused how we went from having department heads trained to having a lawyer on retainer,” Meade said regarding the conversation. “I think the way it really came about, at least from my perspective… is that I left Brooks and DeRensis and I was their labor counsel… I worked here long enough to know there is a need for a greater HR presence than you have,” Dolan explained. “            Have we been notified by Brooks and DeRensis that they are no longer supporting labor counsel?” Meade asked. He was told that they had not. Meade said he didn’t see why there was a need to retain labor counsel if they have a town counsel that has not expressed an inability to provide that service. Dolan said he could do just HR if labor counsel was not needed. Selig said he would like to see what percentage of calls to Brooks and DeRensis were HR related last year to determine if there would be a cost savings in hiring Dolan for that purpose. The Selectmen agreed to do a bit more research before deciding whether to hire Dolan and for what purpose.

Digital board problems

The Selectmen also met with Town Clerk Susan Lawless to discuss issues with the digital board at the Town Hall. She said that she had originally been under the assumption that she would be controlling what messaging would be displayed, however, she said she is not in control of it and the information is often incorrect or out of date. DiSesa said that she would reach out to IT Director Cesar Calouro to find out what can be done to improve the messaging as well as possibly give Lawless more control over the board.

Agricultural Commission

The Selectmen met with Suzanne Emerson regarding her reappointment to the Agricultural Commission. Emerson said that she has lived in town since 2008 and has been involved with livestock and agriculture for over 42 years. She said she was instrumental in the Right to Farm that passed at town meeting in 2015. “Keep up the great work, thank you,” Selig said to Emerson. The Selectmen unanimously reappointed her.

Selectmen also met with Jeanne Kling regarding her reappointment to the Beautification Committee. Kling, who has lived in Halifax for 24 years, said she feels that after five years on the Committee she has a good understanding of how to get residents motivated to participate in clean-up days. “I’m pretty motivated and really care about the environment so I feel like it is a great way to give back to the town,” Kling said. She also said that the Committee is considering an adopt an island program like the adopt a planter one currently in place. The Selectmen voted unanimously to reappoint Kling.

Town Administrator search

DiSesa read an update regarding the search for a new Town Administrator. She said that following the reopening of the search, they had 12 new applicants who were being vetted by Bernie Lynch, who was hired to lead the search. DiSesa said that two out of the three original candidates are still interested in the position. The third candidate is a finalist for a TA position in another town. Lynch anticipates the Selectmen needing to conduct three or four interviews. “I’m excited we have some new possibilities,” Selig said.

Special Police Officers loss

DiSesa read correspondence from the Police Chief that said that the Halifax Police Department would be losing three of their most dedicated special police officers as of June 30.

He said that special legislation enacted in 2022, requires that all law enforcement officers in Massachusetts attend a full-time police academy to remain certified. “These officers have given the residents of Halifax over 55 years of dedicated and professional service,” the letter from Joao Chaves said.

Flower & Soul grand opening plans

The Selectmen’s final appointment of the evening was with Flower & Soul. They said they had a soft opening on June 17 to get their processes in place and whatnot. They asked to have a grand opening on July 9 with a rain date of July 10.

They said they wanted to have 6-10 different vendors on the grass outside the store for informational purposes. No product would be sold in those areas. The Selectmen approved the event pending the necessary sign-offs from various town departments.

Rep. LaNatra supports step therapy legislation

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BOSTON – Tuesday, June 29, State Rep. Kathy LaNatra joined her colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Representatives to pass legislation limiting the use of step therapy protocols, in which insurance companies refuse to pay for the prescription drugs prescribed by a patient’s health care provider until the patient first tries cheaper, and oftentimes ineffective, alternatives. The legislation establishes exceptions a patient can use to avoid their insurer’s step therapy protocol and requires both MassHealth and commercial insurers to provide a clear and transparent process for patients and their care team to request an exception.

“Health care decisions and decisions regarding which medications to take should be made between a patient and their doctor, not insurance companies looking for a healthier bottom line,” said State Rep. Kathy LaNatra (D – Kingston). “I was proud to support this crucial piece of legislation to ensure that people with a myriad of diseases and conditions don’t have to delay care with ineffective treatments that worsen their condition, simply to cut costs for insurance companies. That is not the way to cut health care costs in the Commonwealth. Thank you to Speaker Mariano and Chairman Lawn for their leadership on this bill.”

The legislation outlines four different circumstances that trigger the patient exception process, including:

The required treatment will harm the patient,

The required treatment is expected to be ineffective,

The patient previously tried the required treatment, or similar treatment, and it was ineffective or harmed the patient,

The patient is stable on a current treatment, and switching treatments will harm the patient.

Additional highlights of the legislation include:

• A requirement that MassHealth and commercial insurers adopt a “continuity of coverage” policy to ensure patients do not experience any delay in accessing a treatment when requesting a step therapy exemption.

• A requirement that MassHealth and commercial insurers approve or deny a step therapy exemption request within three business days, or within one business day if a delay would cause harm to the patient.

• A requirement that commercial carriers annually report data related to step therapy exemption requests and related coverage determinations to the Division of Insurance.

• The creation of a commission on step therapy protocols tasked with studying, assessing, and bi-annually reporting on the implementation of step therapy process reforms made in this legislation.

“An Act Relative to Step Therapy and Patient Safety” (H.4929)passed the House of Representatives 153-0. The legislation now heads to the Senate for their consideration.